Chapter 3: New Beginnings Aboard the Milano

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As Rocket popped the ship's door open, a faint hiss of pressurized air escaped, followed by the mechanical whirring of gears and hydraulics. The door slid smoothly to the side, revealing the interior of the Milano. Soft, ambient lighting illuminated the inside, casting a warm glow on the eclectic mix of high-tech equipment and personal touches that decorated the space.

Ethan stepped inside, immediately struck by the ship's unique character. The main area was a blend of functionality and comfort, with a worn yet sturdy metal floor beneath his feet. To his left, a compact yet efficient cockpit featured an array of glowing controls, screens, and buttons, each labeled in an assortment of languages. The pilot's seat, clearly customized, had additional padding and a few patches that told stories of past adventures.

Directly ahead, the living area sprawled out, filled with mismatched but cozy furniture. A plush, well-worn couch sat against one wall, flanked by a couple of armchairs that looked as though they had been salvaged from different corners of the galaxy. A low coffee table in the center held various tools, gadgets, and a few scattered cards from an interrupted game. On the far wall, a large viewport provided a stunning view of the stars outside, framed by curtains that looked like they had been sewn from pieces of old uniforms.

To the right, a narrow hallway led to the rest of the ship. Rocket pointed out the various sections as they walked. "Over there is the galley," he said, nodding toward a small kitchenette area complete with a compact stove, a refrigerator stocked with an assortment of alien foods, and a table with two chairs. The kitchen was cluttered but clean, with a few pots and pans hanging from hooks on the wall.

As they continued down the hallway, Rocket gestured to a door on the left. "That's the crew quarters. Not much privacy, but we've got enough bunks for everyone. Fortunately, it's just us, and I may've been using the room as a storage room. You don't want to go in there." Rocket chuckled. The room beyond had several narrow beds built into the walls, each with a small locker at the foot. Even tho it was hard to see due to all the clutter of box's and gadgets.

Finally, Rocket led Ethan to a smaller room at the end of the hall. "And this is where you'll be staying," he said, pushing the door open. Inside was a modest cabin with a single bed, a small desk, and a chair. The room was sparse but functional, with just enough space to make it comfortable without feeling cramped.

"This is my room," The room was cluttered but had a certain charm that spoke of Rocket's personality and life on the ship.

The first thing Ethan noticed was the bed. It was larger than he expected, big enough for two, with a patchwork quilt that looked handmade, possibly from different fabrics Rocket had collected over the years. Next to the bed, a small nightstand held various trinkets and gadgets, some half-finished projects, and a few well-worn books.

The rest of the room was a mixture of organized chaos. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with tools, spare parts, and items that seemed to have no particular order but made sense to Rocket. A workbench in one corner was piled high with electronics and mechanical components, a testament to Rocket's tinkering nature. Despite the clutter, the room felt lived-in and comfortable.

Rocket glanced at Ethan. "So, you'll be crashing here with me. Unless you'd prefer the sofa in the living room area." He pointed back down the hallway toward the main space.

Ethan looked around the room, feeling both welcomed and a bit overwhelmed by the offer. "This is... great," he said, trying to take it all in.

Rocket nodded, scratching behind his ear. "I'd offer you a bunk, but as you saw, I use it as a storage room for now. I've been traveling alone for a while, on a tiny hiatus." He paused, his expression softening. "Figured it'd be easier to keep everything in one place."

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